Bring more heart into events

Our MPI correspondent Paul Cook testifies to the power of the events industry’s wide and inclusive embrace For me, being a long-time member of Meetings Professionals International has been like getting a giant hug. MPI stands as a cornerstone of community and connection. Far more than a simple professional organisation, MPI embodies a welcoming embrace for its members – a sentiment experienced by many of the countless attendees of it’s in-person events, such as EMEC in Europe and WEC, its World  Education Congress. For example, for EMEC Luxembourg, MPI offered no less than 40 scholarships this year. With attendees hailing from virtually every part of the world, it’s impossible to overstate the diversity of cultures and attitudes that participants bring to events. Whether our concerns are accessibility, the gender pay gap or neurodiversity, delegates and speakers bring their perspectives, and this often results in lively discussion and fresh debate. Pamela Schuller is a keynote speaker at MPI’s WEC later this year. She also has Tourette Syndrome. “Diversity leads to stronger business,” Schuller says. “We are not inclusive because it’s a good deed, but rather we are inclusive because organisations and companies benefit when diverse voices surround the table.” The events sector is one of the fastest moving professional environments available. this is clear to anyone involved. Event professionals are simultaneously engaged in debates about climate change, the economy, gender equality, and new technology, and that’s just scratching the surface. One of the biggest issues the events industry faces is the effect of Artificial Intelligence now and in future. AI is developing faster than any other technology and the usage is spreading fast. Soon, it’s likely that most of our work will be affected in some way by AI. Often those effects are positive. Yet, despite this, it is still up to humans to supply the extra element, that almost intangible quality that enhances connection and interaction. Melissa Cherry, chief diversity and inclusion office/SVP for Miles Partnership says: “Creating events that make people from diverse cultures feel a sense of belonging involves thoughtful planning, cultural sensitivity and inclusive practises.” She’s right, it’s up to us to bring heart into our work. It’s a uniquely human ingredient and will never truly be emulated accurately by software, no matter how powerful its computing power. So, when you’re next at a meeting, take your heart with you. Remember to bring your full attention to bear on the people you speal to. There is nothing so powerful than giving your entire self over in your interactions. Connect with new people, reach out to familiar faces, and catch up with what they are interested in. Really listen to them and avoid the temptation to scan the room over their shoulder to see who else is there. The power of your attention is infinitely more effective than any new technology, and the effects last much longer. MPI taught me that it’s about bringing more than just your head to an event, it’s about bringing your whole heart